Summer Brew | Orange & Blueberry Wheat Beer

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTzHdRuWPBZp7Ow9jNuRWtqbMx_qoRUmva2_6xVc-pjRQHxGqlG9cbpEZSvVF3wBXKyRmCBMjIt0x8k-E176hJDCeh4vQheBK1-_2dnhyu_ay39hSLZtAU-mLfcj-nyXwZJZl_Rwj13M/s1600/IMG_1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTzHdRuWPBZp7Ow9jNuRWtqbMx_qoRUmva2_6xVc-pjRQHxGqlG9cbpEZSvVF3wBXKyRmCBMjIt0x8k-E176hJDCeh4vQheBK1-_2dnhyu_ay39hSLZtAU-mLfcj-nyXwZJZl_Rwj13M/s640/IMG_1468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONmGEObObFLLgbbvK_EIZmvUaX7DOMFJKK1ExowO9KU4s2yoLQwBIAqXJtdyU9qFHFAt0gSmYZNQAxcV0kldPDHTlxsVgph6OJgkju0Pb33sE6C4UKeXe88BkBQ4Tju2GdVHbTxw8qMs/s1600/summer-brew_02.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONmGEObObFLLgbbvK_EIZmvUaX7DOMFJKK1ExowO9KU4s2yoLQwBIAqXJtdyU9qFHFAt0gSmYZNQAxcV0kldPDHTlxsVgph6OJgkju0Pb33sE6C4UKeXe88BkBQ4Tju2GdVHbTxw8qMs/s400/summer-brew_02.jpg" width="262" /></a> Summer Brews are the best - refreshing, flavorful, citrus-y and light.  The original Summer Brew is beer mixed with vodka lemonade.  Delicious.  However, I'm a huge fan of wheat beers (Boulevard, Blue Moon, etc.) topped with an orange... so, I created my own version of a summer brew with fresh squeezed orange juice, vodka and wheat beer.  I garnished it with fresh blue berries and an orange slice to make it colorful and fun... it is, after all, a cocktail.<br /><br /><i>Orange & Blueberry</i><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Summer Brew</span><br /><i>4 cocktails</i><br /><a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F06%2Fsummer-brew-orange-blueberry-wheat-beer.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-rwQS3ZWIiE8%2FUcsYLfKz-iI%2FAAAAAAAAS1w%2FxE6leu_x_AE%2Fs400%2Fsummer-brew_02.jpg&description=Summer%20Brew%20Cocktail%20%3A%20Wheat%20Beer%20with%2C%20Vodka%2C%20Orange%20%26%20Blueberry"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /><br />3 oranges, 2 juiced, 1 sliced<br />1/2 cup of water<br />1 tablespoon of sugar <br />1/4 cup of vodka<br />4 wheat beers (ex. Boulevard, Blue Moon)<br />Fresh Blue Berries<br /><br />Mix together the fresh orange juice, water, sugar and vodka just before the party - keep it cold in the refrigerator, then add the beer and garnishes when served. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5MJpVxFY6bzt3e0Pc2GRniKznjLdiypCtkKUokPyf_Q6jbwwpn9imKTQJn7P65vwIa6z_aaq_8e06_14pPGWN61DIdSLmXZ3wsFA1gG2s4QCZHt46SMwY4_fmXaaxXiWeUcXfVD5sWY/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5MJpVxFY6bzt3e0Pc2GRniKznjLdiypCtkKUokPyf_Q6jbwwpn9imKTQJn7P65vwIa6z_aaq_8e06_14pPGWN61DIdSLmXZ3wsFA1gG2s4QCZHt46SMwY4_fmXaaxXiWeUcXfVD5sWY/s640/IMG_1503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Summer Brews are great for outdoor parties - more refreshing than wine on these hot summer evenings. <br /><br />Get the <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/06/brown-sugar-sesame-steak-kebab-marinade.html">Marinated Steak Kebabs recipe</a>, here. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmEgacu3eks4s4e1JG7KCP8COsVw_H7qnZIbEg_81s-reAIAmPrcWmKb358-Reywh5ku5YcequzWNSidgKlCduc9nhyphenhyphenuLK4ciIuwr27LFQBf-FFOU0WE-GJp3YEIc6fiO5Q3XROI41s4/s1600/IMG_1485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmEgacu3eks4s4e1JG7KCP8COsVw_H7qnZIbEg_81s-reAIAmPrcWmKb358-Reywh5ku5YcequzWNSidgKlCduc9nhyphenhyphenuLK4ciIuwr27LFQBf-FFOU0WE-GJp3YEIc6fiO5Q3XROI41s4/s640/IMG_1485.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />See all of the details of my <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-outdoor-dinner-party-on-our-porch.html">Outdoor Dinner Party, here</a>. <script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Summer Brew | Orange & Blueberry Wheat Beer

Summer Brews are the best - refreshing, flavorful, citrus-y and light.  The original Summer Brew is beer mixed with vodka lemonade.  Delici...

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Homemade Hot Chocolate

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvc0NYWG8M8Br1Bz8e6Te25JEx4X5lj4TrBju-d0aPxT1oOFi4sSoQbegdXm72ly6XdKpF4UsM9jtHMe9ZIgIQaX-4CyIHAmiJMrHA9KUuFJ6nHls8P-NqvS71MjnXSYPjWw90B4zTVU/s1600/hot-cocoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvc0NYWG8M8Br1Bz8e6Te25JEx4X5lj4TrBju-d0aPxT1oOFi4sSoQbegdXm72ly6XdKpF4UsM9jtHMe9ZIgIQaX-4CyIHAmiJMrHA9KUuFJ6nHls8P-NqvS71MjnXSYPjWw90B4zTVU/s640/hot-cocoa.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmugYEStvz5DvMI7jYmLYM65GltL2hnaDnKyQrFzAOkzWl-8aC2qVnIaripXqvWOdjG0T0jw72Wl5WwHQE6mvjAqqQ127PEVF55xdl4WanuLEHODhvRFLP2ToPJnZ4Jv53KYbiXUrS9g/s1600/VAI_094_destination-highlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmugYEStvz5DvMI7jYmLYM65GltL2hnaDnKyQrFzAOkzWl-8aC2qVnIaripXqvWOdjG0T0jw72Wl5WwHQE6mvjAqqQ127PEVF55xdl4WanuLEHODhvRFLP2ToPJnZ4Jv53KYbiXUrS9g/s1600/VAI_094_destination-highlights.jpg" /></a></div><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fhomemade-hot-chocolate.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1lxs7kPykqU%2FUPdrCJmIFFI%2FAAAAAAAAPvM%2FwanOxn0dvWE%2Fs640%2Fhot-cocoa.jpg&description=The%20BEST%20Hot%20Chocolate%20Recipe%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fhomemade-hot-chocolate.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br />Last month <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/12/vail-our-weekend-skiing-trip.html">when Mike and I went to Vail</a> for our first weekend away as parents, we indulged in just about everything - massages, elaborate dinners, nice bottles of wine, sleeping in and very special (read : expensive) hot chocolate.<br /><br />The Four Seasons in Vail is known for their Hot Chocolate - in fact, they call it "Haut Chocolate."  We ordered ours at the outside pool-front fireplace.  They brought it out on a silver platter, and poured it from a copper kettle (which is apparently, a traditional French Hot Chocolate pot) through chocolate lace that sits on top of the cup.  Then they topped it with house-made chocolate marshmallow, fresh whipped cream and Swiss chocolate shavings.<br /><br />It was soooo special and so indulgent.  What I really loved about it, besides the presentation, was that it was not too sweet, but very smooth and rich and had a deep chocolate flavor.<br /><br />This Hot Chocolate Recipe is my attempt to recreate that rich, not too sweet, Haut Chocolate.  I was planning to share it yesterday, but the 60 degree weather we had here didn't make it feel appropriate.  Now, that our temps are back to a comfortable 34 degrees (humph...), it is Hot Chocolate time again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JJiUNZb7OBtCTpuYgiDqmx4SX4AffcTaLKYeX2ghaORUKl8LTZqugqW2qLnooi4vMzTxN2tDNHq0RctC4Vhv9qi8b5UGJbx9rc8KOFYNBin51hC3R7L_POUaOlJO-ZbLzsJM27oftPY/s1600/00072969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JJiUNZb7OBtCTpuYgiDqmx4SX4AffcTaLKYeX2ghaORUKl8LTZqugqW2qLnooi4vMzTxN2tDNHq0RctC4Vhv9qi8b5UGJbx9rc8KOFYNBin51hC3R7L_POUaOlJO-ZbLzsJM27oftPY/s400/00072969.jpg" width="315" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Homemade Hot Chocolate</span><br /><i>rich and creamy</i><br /><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fhomemade-hot-chocolate.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-qhjvrdE_7H4%2FUPWujH5D89I%2FAAAAAAAAPsI%2FlURFbCXWBRc%2Fs640%2Fhot-chocolate.jpg&description=The%20BEST%20Homemade%20Hot%20Chocolate%20with%20Bittersweet%20Chocolate%20%26%20Milk%20Chocolate...%20and%20Whipped%20Cream%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fhomemade-hot-chocolate.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a> <br /><br /><i>I find that grating the chocolate with a microplane makes the chocolate easier to melt and as it melts more quickly, it makes the chocolate creamier.   </i><br /><br />4 cups whole milk <br />2 tablespoons sugar<br />.......<br />2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, grated<br />4 ounces milk chocolate, grated<br />........ <br />1 cup of heavy whipping cream <br />1 tablespoon of sugar<br /><br />In a saucepan, heat the milk and sugar on medium just until it begins to simmer.   Meanwhile, grate the chocolate.  Also, begin whipping the cream and sugar until soft peaks are achieved.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate.  Continue stirring until the chocolate melts.  Serve in mugs topped with the sweetened whipping cream. <script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Last month when Mike and I went to Vail for our first weekend away as parents, we indulged in just about everything - massages, elaborate d...

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Spiked Mulled Cider | Fall Entertaining | Fall Cocktails

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8TVVtArzlgcyi30VM4IbuOjf2nYuPWBTJAk2aWGkKmMHs4kmUSKkCpr8gg_rn6kjP1Aed0saTjxsarg7xEJtf3SsByEju8GtUTmLJLpdvyavczLWfN4s0zFNFvEgNbOeTZPyYzp0GSv0/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8TVVtArzlgcyi30VM4IbuOjf2nYuPWBTJAk2aWGkKmMHs4kmUSKkCpr8gg_rn6kjP1Aed0saTjxsarg7xEJtf3SsByEju8GtUTmLJLpdvyavczLWfN4s0zFNFvEgNbOeTZPyYzp0GSv0/s640/IMG_6744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98m6PaDwAWMtEuJMOxgmL4stPX_CkqCpMPvviJhVIurlOM7tO96BHfEa6r5jVSsdG3XioqmDXwDi4InKwVK6GBL-QkMAXpOlqGkrChEL0VBvH7qybi4N6sOgoMM2aSJvlfjYIf9zP0c1F/s1600/IMG_6752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98m6PaDwAWMtEuJMOxgmL4stPX_CkqCpMPvviJhVIurlOM7tO96BHfEa6r5jVSsdG3XioqmDXwDi4InKwVK6GBL-QkMAXpOlqGkrChEL0VBvH7qybi4N6sOgoMM2aSJvlfjYIf9zP0c1F/s400/IMG_6752.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>This seems like the right kind of drink for the first day of October!  Right now I'm sitting on our porch drinking a big mug of hot apple cider this morning... but I love this cocktail recipe for a party.  Wouldn't you love to be sitting outside tonight with a hot cup of cider that is spiked with spiced rum, vanilla and orange?  Count me in.<br />  <span style="font-size: large;">  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Spiked Mulled Cider</span><br /><i>to warm you from the inside</i><br /><br />1 gallon of apple cider or juice<br />2 cups of spiced rum <br />1 cup of <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802000192&pubid=21000000000393866">Mulling Spices*</a><br />1 vanilla bean <br />1 orange, sliced<br />1 teaspoon of ground clove<br />1 teaspoon of nutmeg<br />1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon<br />Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise and Cloves for Garnish <br /><br />Put all ingredients into a large pot on your stove and simmer on low.  Serve warm.  <br /><br />*If you'd like to make your own Mulling Spices, combine whole cloves, star anise, and allspice, OR you can buy it from Williams-Sonoma : <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802000192&pubid=21000000000393866">Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices</a> (makes a great gift, too!)

Spiked Mulled Cider | Fall Entertaining | Fall Cocktails

This seems like the right kind of drink for the first day of October!  Right now I'm sitting on our porch drinking a big mug of hot appl...

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